My Favorite Home Workout Exercises

First Saturday in April! Let’s go! So excited because this weekend the weather is actually supposed to be SPRING-like! Give us all the outdoor time!

On any given week, I try to make it to the gym 3 times a week for my workouts. If I get 4 in, thats a really good week (that has yet to happen since I had Sammy lol). The other days I either run, or work out at home. In my basement I have kettlebells and bands …which have been a lifesaver to be honest over the last year or so. Its so hard to squeeze as many workouts in as I want with work, kids, etc. The biggest challenge I think with home workouts for me (and for many people) is what exercises to do! So, I wanted to share my favorite go-to exercises that I do ALL of the time. These exercises are mostly compound (where I use my whole body) which allows for a higher energy expenditure, calorie & fat burn. When I only have 30 minutes, I want the most bang for my buck!

1. Squat to Push Press. This is a simple exercise where you have two kettlebells, hold by your shoulder. Squat down, squeeze the glutes as you stand, and push press the KB’s when you stand. Here is an example of the exercise. Anything with a squat is a great exercise because it tightens that booty.

2. Broad Jump: You need NO equipment for this. Gets the heart rate up, is an explosive movement and you only need about 6 feet of space! Example here.

3. Kettlebell swings. These are fantastic for not only strength, but conditioning. Sometimes I use two, sometimes just one and hold with both hands, sometimes I use a heavier weight for less reps, and other times I do high rep (like 30) for conditioning. The key is the slight bend in the knees, thrusting the hips, and squeezing the glutes during the forward motion. As seen here!

4. Row. A row is an easy way to incorporate some upper body work into your body. Lean on a bench or table…as seen here.

5. Dead Lift. This has to be one of my favorite exercises of all time. Key is slight bend in knees, feeling the pull in your hammys, and squeezing the glutes on the way up. As seen here. The footage shows a bar, but you can use KB or free weights! Such a good exercise!

6. Last but not least, I love lunges. Whether you do reverse, lateral, or just standard ones, these are fantastic. If you’re advanced, you can do a lunge to a step up, or a lunge to a bicep curl. Crucial in your form for the lunge is keeping your chest up, and front knee at 90 degrees. As seen here.

I noticed that there are some HUGE sales this weekend and I’m always down for some new workout clothes or athleisure. SO I rounded up a few of my faves! Keep in mind Old Navy has a huge 50% off sale right now!

Have a great weekend! xo

Alex

Pregnancy Workout Series #3: Strength Training

Pregnancy workouts: Lifting

Next up in the pregnancy workout series is strength training! 

This one is near and dear to my heart because as a soccer player my whole life, running was something that came super natural to me and was my exercise on the daily. 

But what really helped me change my body after kids? WEIGHTS.

((And of course, diet. ))

Anyway, my first pregnancy I legit had allllll the time in the world so I was able to spend as much time as I wanted working out. That meant training on the ball, running, and continuing my weight sessions in the gym. I also swam as I spoke of in the pregnancy series #2. 

After I had my first baby, I simply didn’t have enough time to fit in all of the cardio I wanted AND the weights.

And let’s be honest, I didn’t WANT to or have the energy. The cardio that I did do was a lot of walking & running with the stroller and I chose to prioritize my time away from my son with strength training. Weights are what got me where I wanted to be postpartum. 

Fast forward to pregnancy two, and it was a lot harder to stay fit during pregnancy, because, hello, time is limited when you have kids lol. I managed to run until full term. and continued to lift until I hit the third trimester and then stopped. Why? I was so uncomfortable, it was the hottest August in over 100 years, and I was content with doing just cardio. I also think I stopped caring as much because I was so tired, and because I had “gotten my body back” once before, I knew I could do it again.

Well. In conclusion, I definitely feel like I got REALLY soft, gained 5 + more pounds than I did with my first, and my recovery was a lot harder. Like A LOT.

When I found out I was pregnant with my third (unexpectantly) I had literally almost gotten to where I wanted to be with my body post baby 2. My second had JUST stopped nursing 3 months earlier .. so it was definitely something I had to get my head around knowing I had 9+ months of pregnancy and another year of nursing ahead of me!! 

I think when you find out you are pregnant you have goals in your head like “I’m gonna do this one different.. I’m going to eat super healthy and work out everyday and look good “ LOLZ. And then you’re waddling around and like yeah.. gimme that chocolate. Ha. 

I think out of all three pregnancies just due to experience I was somewhat able to fulfill those goal this time. I was also determined to have a better “rebound” from baby 3 and lift as long as I could because I knew it would make a huge, huge difference.

Why is lifting so important? 

1. Strength- carrying a baby during pregnancy and postpartum is no easy task. 

2. Labor. Enough said. 

3. Knowing you have at least 6 weeks of rest postpartum was enough to keep me motivated. 

4. More muscle mass= more fat burned. 

With that being said,I wanted to share tips on how I adjusted my strength training workouts to help you all! 

First trimester 

The biggest battle for me with first trimester workouts is FATIGUE!!! I don’t really have an answer for dealing with fatigue other than the fact that working out is part of my life, my routine and its something I just do. So, even when I’m tired, I ((most days)) get the energy to get myself going. Best advice I can give is GET yourself to the gym, on that run/cardio machine, and if after 10 minutes you are still feeling like crap-call it a day. BUT TRY. I can’t tell you how many times I have said this to myself to just start my workout. And to be honest with you-I never have stopped after the 10 minutes because I have ALWAYS felt better after that 10 minutes and wanted to keep going. Workouts somehow give you energy!!

I never got sick during any of my three pregnancies so I don’t have any tips for working through morning sickness/nausea!! Sorry!

From a limitation standpoint, in some ways how your workouts are affected in the weight room will depend on whether or not this is your first pregnancy. I found that with my second and third some exercises I was limited with because I was already somewhat showing. Not to the public eye, but enough that I couldn’t do exercises that had anything to do with my stomach area ( ie. Reverse hyper) 

I continued to do EVERYTHING as normal with the exception was that I did not do any max effort lower body lifts. So no heavy squats, dead lift, etc. I kept it to a 3 rep max during the first trimester. In addition I NEVER do any straight up abdominal work when pregnant. So no sit ups, planks, etc.

I was able to continue doing jumping and dynamic movements through 12/13 weeks. 

Second trimester 

This is where I really started to slow down. My main lower lifts moved to 4-5 reps (3 if I was feeling really good) and my box height for squats was raised. 

Upper body wise I started doing everything on an incline towards the end of the second trimester and if I did do a flat bench, I brought my legs and feet up on the bench. 
I found this trimester I definitely had more energy, but I felt more winded at the same time so I had to take more time in between reps. 

Weight wise I didn’t have to adjust much for accessory work at this point.

Third trimester 

This is where sh*t hits the fan. Haha. You’re big, uncomfortable and ready to throw in the towel. The key this trimester is listening to your body and STICK ING with it even if your workouts aren’t as frequent/aren’t very intense. You’ve come this far!! Keep at it! There were definitely days I waited 4-5 days in between workouts to recover, because I didn’t feel great, or because I felt so much pressure! 

There were SO many adjustments I made. My reps for major lifts increased to 6-8 reps and I stopped squatting/benching with the bar at about 36 weeks and just did free weights with EVERYTHING.

My accessory work weights lowered substantially and at times I only did body weight, especially the last 2-3 weeks! Bands were also a huge part of what I did from a workout standpoint. 

Tips for lifting throughout pregnancy

1. Mindset: remember your goal is to stay active, retain a little muscle, and get those endorphins 💪🏼 

2. Slow. it. down & focus more on activating: I found that I really slowed my movement down the bigger I got. Even if the movement was supposed to be “explosive” I just did it at my own pace and focused more on ACTIVATING the muscle whether it was glutes, hams, triceps, etc.

3. Lower your expectations: Don’t worry about the number on the barbell or rack, or how explosive your movements are…

4. Take rest breaks !!! This was huge for me. I honestly had to really slow down in between reps and that’s OKAY.

5. Fuel properly: TONS of Water and good food is so important!

6. Adjust your weight: Enough said!

7. Listen to your body: I touch on this a little bit- if you need a few days off, take it! During my third trimester there was a period where I didn’t lift for almost a week! When I felt better, I got right back at it, no issues!

I’m slowly getting back into things now at 4 weeks postpartum and it feels SOOO good. I wanted to round up some fitness athleisure clothes that I am lusting after…cause is there anything better or more motivating than new fitness/workout clothes??? NOPE. :)

Check em out:

Z By Zella High Waist Daily Leggings • Zella • $26.97
Salutation Stash Pocket Tight In Powervita • Athleta • $43.97–89
Nike Train Like A Girl Muscle Tank - Womens - Black/White • Nike • $24.99
Zella Shine Zip High Waist Ankle Leggings • Zella • $41.40
Nike Just Do It Racerback Tank - Womens - Black/Pure Platinum/Heather • Nike • $19.99
Lululemon Align Pant Super High-Rise *28" • Lululemon • $98
Z By Zella High Waist Mesh Leggings • Zella • Sold Out
7/8 Length Takara Legging • $89
Nike Sportswear Women's Leggings • Nike • Sold Out
Adidas Originals adidas Originals white Forest Grove sneakers • adidas • $80
Nike Sportswear Women's Crop Top • Nike • $35
Nike Sportswear Womens Crew • Nike • $65
Nike Script JDI Muscle Tank - Womens - Black/White • Nike • $19.99
Nike - Tech Pack 2.0 Cropped Cutout Stretch Top - Pink • Nike • $50
Adidas Originals adidas Originals I-5923 Sneakers In White And Pink • adidas • $65
Nike High-rise leggings • Nike • $102
Lululemon Align Jogger *28" • Lululemon • $98
Lululemon Align Pant *Full Length 28" • Lululemon • $98
Nike High-Neck Cropped Training Tank • Nike • $50
Nike Pro HyperWarm Women's Tights • Nike • $63.97
adidas Originals Graphic Sweatshirt • adidas • $70

Hope y’all have a great day! xo

Alex

Pregnancy Fitness #2: Swimming/Aqua Jogging

Pregnancy Fitness: Swimming (Aqua Jogging)

Hi babes! Hope you are all doing well! Happy weekend! Hope you are all settling in ready for the big storms hitting this weekend! Yikes!

We are currently settling in at home now and big brothers will be joining us tomorrow. I have so much to share about the birth of baby Sammy, but I have honestly just been trying to rest, recover and soak up every moment so far!

Before I had baby Sammy, I wrote up a “series” of pregnancy fitness posts for the blog to post during the first couple of postpartum weeks (the first post I wrote was about Running while pregnant), and I’ll be posting 2-3 more that I wrote up throughout pregnancy.

Today I’ll be sharing Pregnancy Fitness: Swimming. In each of these posts I’ll talk about what workouts I did, what I liked/didn’t like about the particular form of working out, and my must haves for each! I linked my aqua jogger…and a ton of bathing suits that I am loving right now …a few maternity and the rest just regular (sooooo excited to be out of maternity clothes woot woot!!!!!)

Some super cute Bathing Suit Picks!

Super cute $35 flattering H & M blue and white striped suit | gingham. yes plz | AErie cute lace up. On sale!! | Love me some leopard | ‘I’m getting this Anthro bikini!!! | Another HM suit!! | Dying to buy a tularosa suit. I love their style!! | M I C K E Y suit!! So cute | my all time fave flattering suit for EVERYONE | This bikini is so frilly and feminine! LOVE | Classic black suit for everyone- on sale!! | Gorgeous maternity suit | striped maternity suit | Barbie suit!! | Cute tankini maternity | Black basic maternity suit!

My swimming background

I’ve been swimming ever since I was a baby..I’m pretty sure my mom had us in the water at like 3 months old! Partially this was due to the fact that she never really learned how to swim and she wanted to make sure that we didn’t turn out the same way. So, we were in the water ever since we were babies and also took swimming lessons. I didn’t love the lessons; but as a kid I did enjoy swimming. As you all know, soccer was obviously my passion so any swimming I did was leisurely. But let me be clear that I’m no Michael Phelps ha.

Intro to Aqua Jogging

Fast forward to college, where my roomie was a cross country runner. Because I have quite good endurance, when she would have extra mileage to do for her workouts for the week, sometimes I would run with her at night. The family that runs together, stays together..amiright??!! LOL.

The Aqua Jogger & some Amazon swimming picks!

Cupshe is awesome quality/price for suits LOL!!!!

Anyway, she ended up at some point getting injured and not being able to run for an extended period of time. The coaching staff and trainer instructed her to head to the University pool and swim with an aqua jogger. I had never heard of it and had no idea what it was! But, being the great friend and roomie, I decided to join in with her to make it less boring for her!

What is aqua jogging you ask? Aqua jogging is basically where you run in the water! You have a belt that goes around your waist and you are able to swim upright and run in a running motion.

There are all kinds of positive studies that show using aqua jogging as a form of cross training/injury prevention allows you to maintain your current cardiovascular level and fitness without the impact of actually running. In fact, they have done studies where participants have actually replaced 1-2 runs/week and still maintained their fitness level. In addition, aqua jogging is a great form of cardio for runners or ANY athlete with running in their sport who have an injury to continue exercising without impact.

Honestly , i am SO thankful that I was introduced to aqua jogging during my collegiate soccer career. It certainly isn’t the most “fun” workout (its a little bit boring at times) but there are so many benefits and it helped over the course of my professional career ( and AFTER!!) recover faster after travel, games, and also was a GOD SEND when I was injured! It allowed me to stay active, keep a good fitness base, and manage my weight while injured.

When I found out I was expecting with my first baby, swimming was one of the most popular forms of exercise that I read about for pregnant women. It was a great cross training option for me that I mixed in with my running, walking, and lifting. With each pregnancy I found I utilized the pool more and more, and this last baby especially. It also gives me a different option for a workout when not pregnant- if I’m sore, tired, etc!!

Reasons why I loved swimming/Aqua Jogging while pregnant:

1. Weightless: When you’re in the water you’re said to only feel 10% of your body weight. That literally has to be every single womans dream when pregnant! Feeling weightless for that 30-45 mins is amazing!

2. Reduces swelling: I always got a lot of comments from people about the fact that I had little to no swelling during my pregnancies. When you’re pregnant, your body produces 50% more blood and fluids to support the needs of your body and growing baby. I attribute low swelling during my pregnancies to good diet, staying active, but also my time in the pool. When you are submerged in the water, the outside water pressure pushes the extra fluid tissue water into your veins and kidneys …and out of your body into your urine! I swear i have to go to the bathroom 4 times after swimming! I’ve even weighed myself after and there is no doubt I lose a pound or two of fluid retention.

3. No impact: I love the fact that I can get a workout in without it hurting any of my joints or muscles. Pregnancy is a huge demand on the body and being active without impact is a WIN. No uncomfortable pounding (like running when you get bigger)…and the bigger you get the heavier that uterus, placenta and baby are! The pressure is unreal…to not feel that..AMAZING.

4. Calorie Burn: The calorie burn for any activity in the water is HUGE. Obviously you have to work harder because of the resistance of the water, and aqua jogging is said to burn anywhere from 8-12 calories/minute depending on how much you weigh. That’s 80- 100 Calories for 10 minutes; similar if not more than running!

5. I don’t need to get my hair wet: haha. I know this one is kind of vain but I love aqua jogging because I don’t need to get my hair wet :)

6. Refreshing: Last but not least, I always felt so refreshed coming out of the water. If you are pregnant during the summer months, get. in. the. water!! And, even thought this last pregnancy ended in january, I still enjoyed getting in the water even though it was so cold outside. The first minute or two might be a bit chilly, but once you get going its totally worth it!

My workouts:

I usually have two forms of aqua jogging workouts: Intervals and steady state.

During this past pregnancy, 75% of my aqua jogs were steady state mostly because that is what I felt my body could do at the time. Earlier in the pregnancy, and when I utilize swimming for cross training, I definitely do more intervals. This basically means I “jog” steady state for 5 mins as a warmup and then pick either time or distance to “sprint” in the water, and then jog. So, 30 seconds “sprint”, and then into 30 seconds “jog” and repeat. This gets the heart rate up, makes the workout go faster, and burns more fat/calories!

The cons of swimming/aqua jogging:

1. The first would have to be obviously access to water! I am lucky and have access on a personal level (indoor) as well as belong to a fitness club with a pool.

2. Comfort level in a public pool while pregnant: I know some women can be self conscious working out, being in a swimsuit while pregnant, don’t like being in a public pool…etc.

3. Boring: It can get a little boring. I try to play music, or get someone to join me (my mom, or my husband)

4. Time consuming: It does take up more time than a simple run or walk— driving to and from the pool (if not at your house), changing, full shower after…etc.

Bottom Line: Swimming is a WIN

The pros clearly outweigh the cons IMO and I honestly feel so grateful to have been able to swim and stay active throughout my pregnancy. It was so amazing to have the option especially in the later stages of pregnancy where just moving seemed challenging! Also, I missed running so much and this filled the void a little bit.

I definitely recommend getting in the water if you can- whether that is at your house, a friends, a local high school/college or the YMCA that you belong to! In addition, the aqua jogger is fairly inexpensive!

Have a great weekend xo

Alex

Tips for Surviving pregnancy with littles

Perspective: a particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view.

It’s amazing how as you walk along the journey of life, perspective changes as you are faced with different circumstances, grow older ((and wiser LOL)).

My pregnancy is finally coming to a close, and its amazing how my viewpoint of pregnancy has changed with each child. Some of thats due to experience, some of it maturity and age. And some of it is just down to rolling with the punches and taking things in stride even if you have no idea how you’re going to cope.

First pregnancies

I definitely didn’t think pregnancy was hard with my first from a physical standpoint-I felt good, slept pretty well, etc. , but looking back there are so many things I would have changed about my mindset.

There’s something so special (and EASY LOL) about your first and I was so devastated about missing a year in my professional soccer career that it consumed me. I can’t blame myself, but its always a thought on my mind how I never soaked up the pregnancy. I find with the second and consecutive pregnancies you have no TIME to enjoy it because you’re so frickin busy!

Pregnancies with multiple kids

Anyway, fast forward to my second and having a toddler to run around after while being pregnant made pregnancy sooo much harder. From getting more sleep/rest, having time to get things done, to fitting workouts in it was for sure a challenge. But I thjnk with everything we are faced with, you somehow get it done.

When we found out we were having a third, I knew it was going to be extremely challenging with a toddler and preschooler. But, as I close in on 38 weeks, somehow I made it through in one piece!!

I wanted to share my thoughts and some tips for those of you embarking on the pregnancy journey with 2 ((really really)) young kids and some things that helped me get through the pregnancy. Now the postpartum period? haha. We’ll see how I survive that…wish me luck. haha :P

Tips for survival!

1. Take advantage of bursts of energy/days you feel good! This one is huge! When I’ feeling physically good, I tackle bigger projects/chores etc. so on the days I’m more tired or feeling super heavy I can do some lower key things.

2. At night wait to sit down: This one was huge for me. I always felt like a hot mess in the morning if after the kids went to bed that I just sat on the couch. Taking 15-20 mins, no matter how tired I was, at organizing things made mornings SO much smoother. Especially since I wasn’t really being productive on the couch anyway! Straightening up, and setting things up for the next morning really made my life SO so much easier in the long run. It also allowed me the option of sleeping a little later in the morning knowing things were set up downstairs. Once I sit down at night I feel like I can’t get up and then the morning is chaotic. because I’m playing catch up!

3. Have your older sibling help as much as possible: my oldest is 4 1/2, so I try to get him to help me as much as possible. I think this is probably even easier with a girl, but my little man has done a decent job. Helping his brother take shoes, coat, etc off, hanging things up, grabbing something for me upstairs, filling up sippy cups for him and his brother full of water, fixing a toy for his little brother has been really important because it limits putting me in awkward positions with the bump. Also, when baby comes my youngest will be used to his brother helping so it won’t be a big deal if I’m busy with baby.

4. Making them independent: Piggy backing off the above- I have tried super hard to make them as independent as possible over the last few months. Not only for me physically right now, but trying to set the stage for arrival of baby 3. Max is a really early riser (like 6 am) SO…we’ve trained him when he wakes up, he dresses himself and comes downstairs on his own and plays (even though 90% of the time I am already up right now…I might not be in a couple weeks haha). He can obviously dress himself with coats, hats, shoes, jackets, and Getting his own school bag ready, buckling his own car seat are all examples, I’ve tried to work hard with getting Seb to get undressed on his own with shoes, coat, etc. but that process is a little slower because he has just turned 2.

5. Enlist help: This one is obviously a given. I have someone come to the house for when I’m at work but its pretty much for when I’m at the office. If you have friends or family offering to take your kids or even ONE (because one is one and two is twenty amirite??!!) just take them up on it. I definitely need to be better asking for help at times but this pregnancy I asked some family and friends every now and again to help, especially when the kids were sick.

   I am lucky because both boys nap at the same time, so if I wanted to nap when I’m home and not at work I can ( probably have taken 3 naps this whole pregnancy LOL, I’m not really a napper) but if your oldest doesn’t nap anymore, and you need a rest, get yo self some HELP!!! YOU DONT GET A MEDAL FOR DOING IT ALL ON YOUR OWN. end of story.

6. Get amazon prime: LOL. This is kind of a joke, but not really. Especially because I work, I do a lot of shopping online. It allows me more time with either my kids, resting, or doing things I want to be doing and not stressing with traffic, lines in the store, and maybe moving around when I’m not feeling great. Also see: LUGGING TWO KIDS to the store.

7. Pick and choose your errand time: This is piggybacking off the above- I try to avoid bringing them to any store with me especially if I’m not feeling great. Some days I have no choice (grocery day) but if I have to run to target, I might wait a few days until I know when they’re both in school or my husband will be home. I’m more focused and efficient when I’m on my own for sure. With that being said, I’ve made my fair share of trips with both boys (way too many!!!) and sometimes you just get it done!!

8. Lower your expectations: Your kids are kids. they don’t care if they have an activity every day, Ignore pinterest and anything that makes you feel like you’re not doing enough!! Kids actually love routine. Embrace that and don’t try and reinvent the wheel and kill yourself with activities and trips making your day super busy!! Both of my boys are pretty content outside or playing with their toys in all honesty so don’t kill yourself trying to cram things in. THEY DON’T CARE!! As long as they are with YOU thats all they care about. That being said, know when to get out of the house- sometimes its necessary…like when all they are doing is fighting lol.

9. Find me time: I know self-care is a HUGE hype word right now but for me, setting aside 15 mins for a bath, or putting my makeup on in the morning is what I NEED to feel good about myself and happy. Carve out a few minutes here and there for things that you want to do whether its work out, pamper yourself, read, whatever…

10. Lastly, just remember that as long as they are healthy and loved, you’re doing a great job. That means its ok if they have PBJ two days in a row, or watch too much TV one day because you’re tired. You’re growing a human. Thats hard AF.

Have a great day loves xo

Alex

Running while Pregnant: My journey & tips for the Pregnant Runner

six hundred and sixty one miles.

1,057,600 meters. 3,490,080 feet.

three pregnancies.

and just like that, its over.

My pregnancy running journey is complete.

It’s been 10 days since I last ran and at the end of it, I think I knew inside that I was done. But I sat on it a few days before I made up my mind because there have been times (many times) during pregnancy where I’ve not felt great and then the next day woke and felt a 1000 times better and it was like the previous day never happened.

So, I waited out those days…and nahhh. I’m pretty sure my body is done and dusted with lugging this guy around!!!

I feel gratitude, for my body allowing me to continue something that is so important to me (fitness). I feel relief in a way, that its all over. I feel a little bit of disappointment in myself for not being able to make it all the way until 39 weeks when I deliver ((I guess thats the type A in me ).

But, most of all I feel PROUD, because its not easy to be consistent during pregnancy with workouts or running and I was able to accomplish that.

My first two pregnancies:

With my first pregnancy, I ran up until my due date. My son came 6 days late. With my second, I ran until 2 days before my planned C-Section (39 + 2). My last run with my current and final pregnancy was at 35 +4 weeks.

I’m sure some of you who don’t know me probably think this is crazy. Especially if I told you my first two babies were 8 lb 10 oz or bigger…LOL!! ( we will see how big this guy gets!!).

As y’all know, in pregnancy, everything is based around the baby. and how I’m feeling. which is such a catch 22 because we as women literally have no control over how we feel…!!!

Pregnancy was HARD AF for me with all babies, especially baby 1. I was so USED to just pushing through everything! I coulden’t get past how my body just woulden’t do/I coulden’t do what I wanted to! After all, I had pushed my body to the limit for so many years playing professional soccer. So many hormonal, mental and physical changes, wrapping my head around bringing a baby into the world…it was overwhelming!!

Third pregnancy running

As my pregnancy progressed along this time around, I was completely aware at how much bigger I got so much earlier. I was completely aware that it would be the middle of winter my last month…which might affect my ability to get outside. Cold, snow, darkness, ice were all things on my mind.

I know this is silly, but I set an internal goal of reaching December (knowing all these factors) and once I reached that date, I would take it day for day. ((Obviously, if I ever didn’t feel good or there was an issue with the baby I would never put anything at risk and would stop)).

I say its silly because…if any of you have been pregnant, you know there are so many factors out of your control when it comes to pregnancy! Setting this goal wasn’t just mind over matter and “how bad do you want it? or “no excuses, get it done” like I spoke about above!

And then one day, (after my goal, LOL!!) It just stopped feeling natural. Stopped feeling good. And when that happened, I always vowed to call it a day. So I did.

My WHY

Why run you ask?

1. I like being active and healthy, pregnant or not. Enough said. You can google any study anywhere and read about pregnancy and working out. Good for mom, good for baby. Good, good, good.

2. It made me feel like myself…even if I was slower and bigger. This was probably my number one reason for continuing. This was especially important to me during pregnancy 1 when I struggled big time with my growing body and embracing the new use for my body. So many changes physically & emotionally…

   Before, everything I did with my body was results oriented. How can I get faster? Stronger? Better on the ball? How many times can I train in one day? What can I eat to make me a better athlete?

   This all quickly shifted to becoming a home for a little baby for 9 months. So….. that 30-40 minutes when my feet hit the pavement, I grinded out a sweat, and sometimes (especially early on) forgot I was pregnant. It was just me, and the roads doing our thing. It made me HAPPY and kept me grounded for those 9 months.

3. Running is something i’ve done my whole life and it felt natural. It’s not like I woke up one day and had a huge bump. The progression was so slow that it was very gradual and gentle as I got bigger. It probably would have been weirder for my body to just stop!!!

4. It kept my swelling at bay. Sure, I definitely got swollen but nowhere near what i have seen other pregnant mama’s and I know its due to my consistent activity level!

5. Weight Control: I’ve gained a healthy 33-35 lbs, with my first, 40 with my second and I’m on track for around 35-37 with my current pregnancy. Being active and running has definitely helped keep my weight in a healthy target area and made recovery A LOT easier.

   It’s no walk in the park though…
   

   I’d be lying if I said I enjoyed every run. I’d be lying if I said I wanted to be out there every single time. I’d be lying if I said it was easy, or didn’t take any discipline. It sure as hell did. But I look back on my journey with great pride, and so fondly as memories with my babies before they came into this world.

   Advice for Pregnant Runners/ Beginner Runners:

   If I could pass along any advice to fellow runners who have just become pregnant and want to continue their regiment, I would offer the following as advice. Some of this advice can be applied to people who aren’t pregnant who are looking to take up running!

   1. SPEAK TO YOUR DOCTOR FIRST. Everyone’s pregnancy is different, and what i did may not be right for you!!!

   2. Change your mindset: Whether you are a recreational runner or a competitive runner, changing your mindset is CRUCIAL. Knowing that you’re out there for the movement, the sweat, the endorphins, etc. rather than actually hitting mileage, splits, times….if you don’t change this mindset, you won’t last long and it certainly won’t be enjoyable!

   3. Invest in good workout gear: Without comfortable running clothes/proper gear running while pregnant can become virtually impossible. I’ve shared my favorites over the course of my 600+ miles (see below)

   4. Find your time: For me, I always felt better early in the morning. My bladder and stomach were fairly empty which led to less bathroom breaks, pressure and any digestion issues. Try out different times of day to see when you feel best.

   5. One day at a time: Don’t get too high off a great run, or too low on a bad run. 9 months is a long time and there will be days where you’re running pre-pregnancy times and feeling like a 100 bucks…and other days where you can’t finish your run, never go, or just feel tired and lethargic. Don’t jump to any conclusions and just roll with it! The part that counts is YOU SHOWED UP.

   6. Intervals: So many of my runs were intervals, whether it was “sprint” for 100 yards, then jog…and repeat for time or a number of sets… or repeat 400s with 3 minutes of rest in between! I always felt like this made the runs more enjoyable knowing I was able to keep a faster pace than a longer run, and knowing I was torching some fat as well!

   7. Take breaks: there’s no shame in stopping to walk, or stretch for a minute or two!

   8. Know when to call it a day: I felt great with my first two pregnancies and tried to not put too much pressure on myself to make it to “running full term with all three babies”. I’m super goal oriented and tbh I would have loved to do that ((sighhhh)). In saying that, Know when to call it a day…when it doesn’t feel good, or feel natural. Any running while pregnant is something to be proud of whether its 3 weeks, 3 months or 9 months!!

Now…on to share my pregnancy running/workout must haves!

1. Gabrialla waist support: I ran with this with all three babies and was a life saver!! This is a must!

2. Body Glide-With my first two pregnancies I had a litrle bit of chafe going on because it was so hot. This was a life saver where my sports bra was, and on my thighs! Things start rubbin when you get bigger! You can get this on amazon!

3. Good running shoes- your feet will naturally swell so having a good pair is important. The brooks ghost is my favorite!

4. A good sports Bra- my fave is the Brooks Juno. The girls don’t move AT ALL and the straps allow for nursing when the baby comes (cause once that milk comes in…sister watch out! LOL) I do have to say its not super easy to get on but its worth it to keep them strapped in! Perf for running or any high impact!!!

5. My zella leggings- great to run in especially in cooler months. I wear these also 24-7. These are the ULTIMATE leggings for pregnancy. You can work out in them, dress them up, wear them casually. They are just bomb. If they come back in stock, SNAG them ASAP!!! Great quality.

6. These Gap tank tops are my favorite.

7. these Old Navy fleeces are super comfy, great for layering and working out in.

8. I love this long sleeve mock neck top from Gap to run in

9. Basic Gap tees- long sleeve (for winter), tanks (for summer), and tees (layerin and for summer) were super easy to throw on also and run in!

   Unfortunately the patterned Isabel Maternity for Target leggings are all sold out…but those were big on my workout rotation! Check out target for some of their maternity leggings to work out in!

I hope this post helps any of you mamas to be with questions about running while pregnant!

xo

Alex

Pregnancy workouts & The Ten Minute Rule

Hi everyone! Hope you all had a great week!

We’ve officially been back a week from Hawaii and we are all finally adjusted back to the Eastern time zone…that took awhile esp. for my youngest. I def learned a lot traveling with the kids for such a long way and will share that in a separate post! The good thing is they have both been sleeping in between 7-8 am every day since we got back (even later the first few days) and I have been loving that as it gives me some extra time in the mornings to myself to run, and get ready for the day, or check my emails and have some quiet time.

Its been a minute since I shared my workouts with y’all so I thought I’d hop on this week (( before I did a hawaii recap)) and share my workouts over the last 5-6 weeks as well as some tips I have for motivating and keeping yourself moving throughout the second trimester!

I’m officially 21 1/2 weeks so I’m definitely starting to feel ((and look)) a lot bigger. Its definitely hard looking in the mirror sometimes after being so lean and fit, but trying to enjoy the process & embrace the extra curves!! I still have felt pretty good when working out most of the time which is a lifesaver for me mentally.

Tips for 2nd trimester workouts

1. Change your mentality: This is a big one for me- I still struggle with it. My main goal is not to challenge myself and “get better everyday”, but to move, sweat, feel good and stay active. I have to remind myself of this when I’m running and I’m moving slower, and when I’m lifting and I get out of breath quickly, or I’m not able to lift as heavy of weight. This allows me to keep things in perspective and not get down on myself!

2. Find workout clothes that are comfortable: This might sound silly, but look good, feel good, play good..haha. But seriously, I always have an extra pep in my step when I have a killer new workout outfit to wear in the gym and finding clothes that FIT and make you feel comfortable (and looking good is a bonus) with your extra weight is really important. Its actually mind boggling to me that the top brands (ie nike, adidias, etc.) don’t have a maternity workout line!! With my first pregnancy I was able to wear a lot of my pre- pregnancy leggings and then when I got bigger just wear them lower. I find now that my bump is A LOT bigger with my 3rd and I don’t want to ruin or stretch out my nice leggings so I’ve stored them away. I’ve either sized up when I’ve seen my faves on sale, or bought maternity activewear. My fave maternity workout gear so far are Gap and Isabel Maternity by Ingrid and Isabel. They have some super cute leggings and they are comfortable, and wick sweat! I’m definitely still searching around for more brands so I’ll be doing a post on my favorite 2nd trimester Preggo clothes along with activewear!

3. Any movement counts: There are some days where I might have the day off, but I’m really active with the kids and walk a lot. Walking counts! So even if you’re not a runner, a 30 min walk everyday is going to help you in the long run down the line!!

4. Find your motivator: My #1 motivation is feeling good and time for myself, and knowing that staying active keeps my baby healthy. Thats what keeps me going day in and day out. Also on the back of my mind is keeping a few extra pounds off, and remembering how LONG the road back to fitness/pre-baby body is and how much easier it is to be active throughout and only take off 6-8 weeks vs 6-8 months!

5. Give yourself grace: Remember some days your body isn’t feeling it…go for a slow walk or just rest! Give yourself grace…you’re growing a human!

6. Every day will be different: As you can see below, sometimes I can run 8:30 miles and feel like a million dollars…and some days I feel sluggish and slow. It. doesn’t. matter!! You’re out there! Every day will be different. It’s like a rollercoaster dealing with your body during pregnancy. I’m just grateful to still be moving and take it as it comes! Don’t get too down on the crappy days, or too high on the days you feel great!

   Last but not least…the 10 minute rule. My fave tip. This one is GREAT if you’re just starting to workout (pregnant or not!!), or are super tired!!

7. The ten minute rule: I use this sometimes. I tell myself to walk/run for 10 minutes, and if I’m still not feeling it, to go home. 99% of the time I keep going! Once you start moving the positive energy and endorphins will keep you going! Trust me.

Workouts:

15 weeks: +8 pounds, (sick all week…ugh)

Sunday: 3 miles, 25:35, Splits: 8:49, 8:17, 8:25
Monday: 2.5 miles, 9:04, 9:02
Tuesday: home lift
Wednesday: Lower workout
Thursday: HIIT bike, upper lift
Friday: home workout
Saturday: off

16 weeks: +9 pounds

Sunday: 3.30 miles, 8;45, 8:47, 8:52
Monday: Lower lift
Tuesday: home workout
Wednesday: Upper, HIIT sled work
Thursday: 3 miles: 8:54, 8:23, 8:20
Friday: Lower Lift
Saturday: off

17 weeks: +11 pounds

Sunday: 3 mile run, 8:22, 8:13, 8:13. 24:50
Monday: Lower Lift
Tuesday: 3 miles, 9:07, 9:27, 9:15. 27:51
Wednesday: Upper lift, 10 mins of running: 80 yard pickup, 80 yard jog.
Thursday: Lower Lift
Friday: 3 mile run. 8:37, 8:16, 8:03
Saturday: off

18 weeks: +14 pounds

Sunday: 3 miles, 8:54, 8:56, 9:06. 29:10
Monday: Lower Lift
Tuesday: home lift, HIIT stair work
Wednesday: Upper lift, 45 min walk
Thursday: 3 mile run, 9:09, 9:12, 9:24. 27:49
Friday: Lower lift, 1 mile walk
Saturday: off

19 weeks: +15 lbs

Sunday: soccer workout
Monday: lower lift
Tuesday: travel-off (trip to Hawaii)
Wednesday: 3 mile run, 25.58. 8:59, 8:31, 8:25
Thursday: lower workout with bands
Friday: 3 miles: 9:44, 9:38, 9:43. 29:11
Saturday: Band workout

20 weeks (no weight taken, vacation)

Sunday: off
Monday: 3.14 miles 9:12 ave.
Tuesday: 3 miles: 8:41m 8:42, 8:16. 25:42
Wednesday/Thursday: travel/off
Friday: Lower lift
Saturday: 3 miles. 9:06, 8:55, 9:02. 27:07

Have a great weekend!!

xo

Alex

Aloha 19 weeks & LB Sales

Aloha from Hawaii! 

Hope you guys are all having a great weekend and have some fun plans for the holiday weekend. Its always different being away for holidays and Labor Day is no exception! Sure doesn't feel like Labor day- firstly, its so hot, and secondly HOW IS IT SEPTEMBER?!!! We are having an absolute blast here spending time with family and enjoying the Hawaiian laid back lifestyle! 

The Travel down here was pretty painful..we had some serious delays and traveling with two little kids is never easy. BUT the boys honestly did SO well for never flying on a long haul flight. We ended up traveling for close to 20 hours...so we were all exhausted when we got in. 

I'll be sharing more about the trip when we get back including tips for travel with kids on long haul flights, some things we have done here in Hawaii, and some what I packed :) 

19 Weeks & Counting..

Another week in the books! Almost halfway there! Still feeling really good, even though the travel def did a number on me! I was pretty tired when we landed just trying to take care of the kids, time change, altitude from flying etc. On the positive side, I was definitely not as swollen as I thought I was going to be!

I took Tuesday (travel day) off from working out and have gone on two runs since we got here. We've been doing some serious walking so I know I'm getting tons of activity in! I went to the gym one day with my bands (the gym here is pretty bad- no free weights)and made do with what was there.  I'll probably find a gym close by for a workout tomorrow while the boys are napping to get a pump in to at least get a second good leg day in this week.  ;) 

Its funny how with each pregnancy time seems to go faster and faster, clearly because you're so busy with the other kids! I also shudder at how big I am going to be in 20 more weeks! yikes.

Labor Day Sales: 

For today, I'm going to share a few sales that I've seen running over Labor Day weekend and live vicariously through ALLL of you because let's just say buying 90% of normal clothing is just a STRUGGLE rn #preggoprobs LOL. 

I've actually hit up Nordstrom while I've been down here and bought a few things that were pregnancy friendly, and they had awesome sales. 

 

1. I know I've spoke about these Madewell jeans before but they are really THAT comfy that I have to share that they are 40% off. 

2.This twist top is a great basic and you can't beat the price- under 20 bucks. 

3. These dark wash Paige jeans are a great fit and I love them for fall. I have this model of jean and they're one of my favorites. Totally recommend these and for just over $100? yes plz. 

4. Sam Edelman is one of my go-to's for date night, girls night or a trip away and I am completely obsessed with the rich color of these ankle strap sandals that you can wear well into October/November. The color is to die for, and again 30% off :) 

5. I got this super cozy and chunky cardi during the Anni Sale and I love it! 

The next group are from another great retailer that I love-Bloomingdales. They are having their "great big brown bag sale" over labor day weekend and it does not disappoint! Whenever I'm away and there's a bloomies in town, I make sure to hit it up. Here are a few great picks I've spotted: 

1. This Isabella Rose Strappy One Piece: Can I EVER make a list of good buys without adding a swimsuit? NOW is THE time to grab a suit. So many good deals, esp if you have a vaca planned in the next 4-6 months! 

2. Wilt's side slit tees. I have a few of these- so comfy, can be dressed up or down, are flattering, good quality... and while they're pricy, they don't hurt the wallet too bad being on sale. 

3. I've been on the hunt for a good summer silk bathrobe to wear when I'm getting ready. I think I'll be adding this one to my cart- 

4. I have loved this suit ever since it came out and still do. Snag this Tory Burch 2 piece NOW. 

5. A-Line dresses are always a win in my book and this dress and color is perfect for fall. I have a few of these and I love them on their own, layered with a denim jacket or fur vest (fall) and booties. Also.to be noted this is under 40 dollars #winning

Hope you have a Happy Labor day! Bring on fall! 

xo

Alex

Friday Flow: 17 weeks & Our Go-to Recipe

Happy FRIDAY y'all! Hope this week has flown by for you and you have some fun weekend plans! I'm sharing a few random things today...Pregnancy, my thoughts on the post baby #2 photo shoot (and some advice!), and an AWESOME recipe thats been a go-to this summer for us! Let's get to it!  

17 weeks Pregnant

No news is good news, right??! I don't have anything to report over here, except that I've had a great week of working out, moving and being active. I also had pizza twice. lol. hey, its called #balance.

Workouts: I'm still able to hover around 8:30 splits when I run, and am doing very low, low box jumps lifting wise ((those will probs end very very soon)). Everything is pretty much fair game in the weight room except I've started to put some of my upper body lifting exercises (benching, free weights) on an incline.

Sleeping has been hit or miss. Some nights I'm really restless and then I think it catches up to me and I sleep like a log after a few nights of average sleep. It's crazy how much bigger I am with this baby than the first 2, I feel like I was hardly showing with my first at this point in time!! I guess thats called muscle memory ha.  I've had some heartburn and I'm still squeezing into my "postpartum" regular jean shorts (a size or two bigger than I was when I got pregnant).

I am actually really looking forward to some cooler temps in September and LESS humidity. MY RINGS have been a serious issue! Its been so humid I feel like my fingers are already swollen! EEEK! Some days I have been going without which honestly makes me feel naked. Ugh. I'm kind of like..this is happening already? Really? I haven't even hit 20 weeks. ha. 

Also, last but not least, YES I have felt the baby move :) 

Names- we have no idea. Naming a third baby in the same sex is pretty difficult!!
Any suggestions??! 

Weight wise I'm still hovering around 11 or 12 lb weight gain! 

Photo Shoot

So..truth be told I'm gonna be blitzing your timeline on insta over the next month or so with my shoot that I did when I was about 6 weeks pregnant. Even though I was already pregnant...I am so dang PROUD of the photos (and thanks to my girl Kristy for her awesome work during the shoot). Its funny how in the moment you're always criticizing yourself and thinking "I'm not enough"...but I look back on the photos and I feel this overwhelming sense of pride- for achieving a goal, for getting a piece of me back ((even if it was for only a month or so lol)), for following through with something I wanted to so badly, for the sacrifice and discipline. For fighting through the moments of doubt, moments of hard, hard mommin'. Moments of looking at myself and not even recognizing who that was in the mirror, but believing if I persisted it would lead me to my goal. 

So...this is just a reminder to all of us-its HUMAN NATURE to always want more. Of course I could be more "fit" looking in those photos. And now, My baby bump could be smaller and so could my ass. But its OKAY. I am enough...and so are you. And if you have that yearning for more...go for it. But still respect the hell out of yourself and your body in your current state! 

 

Recipe: Ground Turkey Fajita Bowl

Okay..even though my nutrition has been not quite as disciplined as I normally would be, I am still loving some healthy meals and wanted to share this awesome meal that is not only healthy, but EASY and FAST!! This has been on our weekly meal plan every. single. dang. week. 

Things I love about this recipe- awesome flavor, quick and easy, no cutting of meat (ground turkey #ftw!!), you can buy most of these ingredients pre-cut if you don't have time to prepare (or lets be honest don't feel like it ha) , its lower carb, and you don't need to know how to cook to make this!! 

Ingredients:

Green, Orange, Yellow Pepper Sliced
1 small onion sliced
1 Poblano Pepper sliced
Mushrooms (optional)
Simply Organic Fajita Simmer Sauce
Lettuce (cut)
1 Avocado pitted and sliced
1 lb Ground Turkey
 

Directions: 
1. Slice Onion, Peppers. Cut mushrooms if already not sliced. Heat oil in pan. Warm onion, until starting to brown. Add mushrooms, brown. Add peppers. Sautee for 4-5 minutes until softened. 

2. Remove vegetables from skillet. Add oil if pan is dry. Cook turkey. While turkey is cooking, slice lettuce and prepare avocado as a garnish. 

Ground turkey cooking...above is the boys fajita that we made for them for dinner!

3. When turkey is cooked, add Fajita sauce. Add vegetables. Stir an cook for 3-5 minutes. Let cool. Place in bowl with salad and avocado. Enjoy! 

Hope you guys all give this one a try! Have a great weekend! 

xo

Alex

Family friendly Breakfast & 16 Weeks Bumpdate

Happy Friday! I'm rocking in today at 4 months pregnant...I can't believe it! Hope you all have some fun plans for this summer weekend :) 

Guilt free Family friendly Breakfast:

I wanted to share with all of you an awesome breakfast that is great for the whole family! I know that sometimes it is such a struggle to make only ONE meal for the whole family..especially when you are trying to eat healthy ((hello fellow moms of picky eaters!)).

Introducing...Kodiak Cake Buttermilk Pancakes. The macros (Protein, fat, carbs) on these bad boys are AWESOME, and they taste great. Our boys love them and we usually top them with syrup or honey for the kids. Right now ((because I'm a little bit of IDGAF about nutrition sometimes ha)) I usually top mine with syrup too haha #pregnancyprobs. A healthier more clean option would be to top with either Walden farms sugar free syrup ( I haven't tried, I've seen a lot of people use though) or a nut butter- Peanut butter, almond butter, etc. 

These are literally IDIOT proof to cook (I am a decent cook but for some reason pancakes aren't on the top of my list of great meals I can cook), and you can play up the protein content with adding milk and egg. YES- that means the mixture needs NOTHING else. So, those days that you have nothing left in the house (read: no eggs), you can still make these suckers. 

I get mine at Wegmans but I'm sure you can snag them online. 

BumpDate: 

16 weeks pregnant! Boom! Another month and we will be halfway there. I've had a killer week of workouts and can't wait to have a day off tomorrow and rest my body! Weight gain is staying steady at 9 pounds. I have my anatomy scan scheduled in a few weeks before we go out of town, so fingers crossed everything is okay. I've started to stock up on maternity basics (short sleeve and long sleeve tees, leggings, etc.) for the upcoming months. By mid September I think I'll be hard pressed to find too much of my closet that fits properly! Ha! I'll be doing a post on my maternity must haves and brands I love for fit, comfort, and quality so keep an eye out for that! 

Hope you all have a great weekend! xo

Alex